Capitals in 5 The Capitals enter the playoffs with some added pressure after winning the President's
Trophy for the first time in franchise history. Any slip up in the early
rounds and this season will be regarded as a failure. Right away they must be on
the ball as the Canadiens have some talent. However, the Habs have struggled
down the stretch and do have weaknesses the Caps can exploit, especially with the
most explosive offense in the league. If the Canadiens are to have any shot
at an upset they will need Jaroslav Halak to stand on his head, something I am
not sure he is capable of.

Blackhawks in 5
This series may perhaps be the biggest mismatch in the first round. Coach Barry
Trotz did a fantastic job just getting the Predators back into the playoffs.
While the Blackhawks enter the playoffs after winning a franchise record 52
games, as they look to take the next step after reaching the Conference Finals
last season. While goaltending could be an issue for the Hawks, the play of Duncan
Keith on defense helps keep the pressure off rookie Antti Niemi. Meanwhile
on offense the 1-2 punch of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane make the Blackhawks
simply too strong for the Predators to handle.

Sabres in 5If you are a fan of high scoring games and offense this is not the series for you.
Both teams rely on goaltending and defense for success, and both teams can struggle
at times to light the lamp. No team struggles to score more than the Bruins
who were the lowest scoring team in the Eastern Conference. However, the Bruins
also allowed the second fewest goals in the NHL. The Bruins do have a slight
edge in experience and Zdeno Chara could be an intimidating presence on the
ice. However, to upset anybody the Bruins must find a way to light the lamps, and
against Ryan Miller that is going to be a very difficult proposition.

Canucks in 6
The Kings are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and they
may be here for a while as they are young solid team with a bright future. The
Canucks enter the playoffs with the Sedin Twins, and Canada's only realistic hope
at winning the Stanley Cup in 17 years. Led by Henrik Sedin who won the Art
Ross trophy the Canucks certainly have the weapons to make a run and they have
a goalie in Roberto Luongo who can carry a team far. The Kings are young and pesky
and will be a tough opponent, but in the end the Canucks are more battled tested
and will win the series.

Penguins in 5
Two years ago when these two teams met in the first round, the Penguins dominated
with a sweep on their way to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Penguins who won
the cup last season still have to be considered a favorite in the Eastern Conference
as they come in with the crown. They also are in the same position as last
year with the four seed. The Senators break down in the series two years ago
started as they were banged up before the series even began, and it's the same
story this year as a key defenseman Filip Kuba and a key forward Alexei Kovalev
will be on the sidelines. To beat the Penguins the Senators must be 100% and
playing their best hockey and without two key cogs that may be impossible.

Red Wings in 6
The Coyotes may be one of the best stories in the NHL this season, as the team
struggles with bankruptcy, and finding a new owner off the ice, they were one
of the best teams in the Western Conference on the ice. What's their reward
for such a remarkable season? The Detroit Red Wings. The Wings may have struggled
through the first two thirds of the regular, but as the playoffs begin they
are playing their best hockey of the season and that is not good news for anybody
in the Western Conference as they are still the same basic team that came within
one game of winning a second straight Stanley Cup last season. If the Coyotes
are to have any chance at all they will need a super human effort from Goalie
Ilya Bryzgalov who holds an edge of Wings Rookie Jimmy Howard.

Sharks in 5
Last year the Sharks were the top seed in the NHL and they suffered a disappointing
first round exit against the Ducks. The Ducks of course were a veteran
laden team that has won a cup. The Avalanche their first round foes this year
are anything but as they are a young team that has reached the playoffs a year
ahead of schedule. The Sharks have a world of pressure on them as anything less
than getting to the Stanley Cup Finals would be considered a failure. The Sharks
cannot let it get close and will look to end this one early to avoid any extra
pressure by must win Game 5 with the series even.

Devils in 6
This series could present allot of problems for the Devils who dropped five
of six meetings against their rivals during the regular season. However, the Flyers
have a big weakness in the most important area, goaltending. Brian Boucher
is essentially the Flyers third stringer who only got a chance after starter
Ray Emery went down. Marin Brodeur is the best ever, and over the last few weeks
started looking like the dominant Marty of old as he helped guide the Devils
to a division title. The Devils will need someone to step up and score, and will
need to avoid giving up opportunities on the power play.